Join BJP instead of being ‘clone:’ Stalin to EPS, OPS

Questioning the AIADMK for changing its stand on the Bill, which it had opposed vehemently in Parliament last December, the DMK chief accused AIADMK top leaders Edappadi K Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam of handing over their party to the BJP on a “perpetual lease.”

AIADMK’s lone MP in Lok Sabha P Raveendranath Kumar had backed the Bill on Thursday, saying it was not a matter of majority or minority, but one that concerned humanity.

Citing the AIADMK MP’s remark, Stalin said it was an “artificial justification” for the change in stance and condemned it.

He alleged that the support showed the “double standards” of the “dual leadership” of the AIADMK.

Also, AIADMK’s refrain to never compromise on the rights of minorities was only “lip service” and the support to the Bill exposed the ruling party becoming one with BJP’s ideology, he said.

To function on the lines of the ideology of the BJP and RSS, there was no need for the name of AIADMK founded by late leader M G Ramachandran, he said.

“Palaniswami and Panneerselvam could join the BJP and should at the least from now on stop deceiving the Tamil Nadu people by having the separate name of AIADMK,” he said.